HOLLOW-CORE OPTICAL FIBERS

A hollow-core optical fiber may include a hollow core extending along a central longitudinal axis of the fiber; a substrate, the substrate having a tubular shape and an inner surface surrounding the central longitudinal axis of the fiber; and a plurality of cladding elements positioned between the hollow core and the substrate, each of the cladding elements extending in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the fiber. Each of the cladding elements includes a primary capillary, the primary capillary directly contacting the inner surface of the substrate and having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a plurality of nested capillaries positioned within the cavity, each of the nested capillaries directly contacting the inner surface of the primary capillary.